ONTARIO – Even amidst controversy, there was consensus on both sidelines after Ontario Christian’s 5-4 win Tuesday over Woodcrest Christian in the CIF-Southern Section Division VI semifinals.

First, no team wants to clinch a championship-game berth the way the Knights did: On a disputed hand-ball violation which led to a game-winning penalty kick with three minutes to play in sudden-death overtime.

Second, no team wants to lose a spot in the finals the way the Royals did.

“We have it on videotape, and that was a hand-ball by Ontario Christian,” Woodcrest Christian head coach Kim Davis said. “If it (a hand-ball by Ontario Christian) is there, we’ll be sending it (the video) in to CIF.”

The difference between agony and ecstasy came down to one play. With just under four minutes remaining in the second sudden-death OT, the Knights launched a corner kick from right to left toward the Royals’ net. The ball appeared to ricochet among a crowd of purple and yellow jerseys huddled in the goalie box, with Woodcrest keeper Hillary Barreto making a tough save as the ball headed for the net.

Then one referee blew a whistle, conferred with a colleague, and pointed in the direction of the goalie box.

Ontario Christian’s Jenna Gann had been awarded a penalty kick, the result of an intentional hand-ball violation by Woodcrest – a stiff consequence for what could have been an inadvertent mistake.

“It’s one of those unfortunate situations where the referee has to make a decision, it’s a tough one, but we’ll take it,” OCHS coach Dave Belden said.

Gann lined up for the PK and sent it to her right. Barreto dove left and the home fans stormed the field, ending a physical, emotional game that lasted more than two hours.

“I haven’t taken any (penalty kicks) this year, this is my first one,” said Gann, a sophomore. “I was thinking, `don’t kick it wide.”‘

The goal atoned for what could have been a disaster for Ontario Christian, which blew a 3-0 lead in the second half and seemed doomed when Woodcrest stormed back to take a 4-3 advantage in the first overtime.

Marisella Macias and Taylor Libolt scored in the first half for the Knights (20-6-4), and Gann added a third goal in the 48th minute. A re-energized Royal squad then scored three times over the next 13 minutes, and the game stayed deadlocked in regulation.

OCHS will play Lancaster Desert Christian, a 4-0 winner over Murrieta Calvary Chapel, in Saturday’s Division VI final in Downey.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.